Healing the Emotional Scars of Acne
There is pain associated with the scars that acne leaves behind.
We know that emotional and psychological pain is real, and can impact every aspect of day to day life. Let’s talk about the emotional and psychological pain acne can cause. Anxiety associated with how you feel about the way you look can cause real and traumatic emotional pain. Treating the damage done to the structure of the skin can also help to heal the emotional damage left by acne. We know that we feel better when we are happier with how we look.
Microneedling is a very effective way to treat the uneven skin surface caused by acne scarring, among other applications. The controlled, micro skin injury caused by the needles encourages your body to send healing agents like elastin and collagen to the cuts to repair them. Healing creates smoother and healthier-looking skin.
Also known as collagen induction therapy, this is a procedure where the skin is repeatedly punctured with tiny, sterile needles. This technique creates a controlled micro-injury to the skin, encouraging healing in the treated areas to rejuvenate the skin.
There are 3 phases to the wound repair process:
- Inflammation
- Proliferation
- Remodeling
In the first phase, the microneedling process triggers your immune system to disinfect the wounds, increase blood flow and begin to create new tissue. In the second phase, the wounds begin to rebuild with new granulation cells, which are part of the extracellular matrix, increasing collagen and elasticity. A new network of blood vessels form. Finally, in the last phase, the wounds are healed with new derma tissues and blood vessels.
Best results are achieved when this minimally invasive treatment is combined with and as a part of a consistent and high-quality skincare regime.
In terms of damaged skin due to acne, this procedure is more effective than more aggressive treatments for the associated scarring. The doctor applies topical numbing cream before the treatment to maximize comfort, but most patients say there is no pain, and that they felt only a slight vibration during the procedure.
Some still inaccurately think acne scarring is just a cosmetic concern or a vanity issue. But when something makes you feel so uncomfortable, it’s not about vanity anymore; it’s a serious medical problem. So if you are suffering from the emotional and psychological repercussions of acne, there is help available. Ask your medical beauty professional if microneedling is an appropriate treatment for you.
